The women move about the carpeted floor as African drumbeats from a cassette tape player fill the room.

But this is not a choreographed performance. As their torsos and limbs flow freely in time to the rhythm, each dancer is absorbed in creating a unique interpretation of the music.

Zoe Artemis, who instructs the participants, said the movements aren`t supposed to be structured. The idea behind this form of dancing is to let people learn how to tap into their inner emotions and express them through physical movement.

``I tell people that when they come to my class, they should dance as they do in their own living rooms,`` she said.

Artemis began offering the therapeutic workshops, called Inner Dance, five years ago in Syracuse, N.Y. She moved to Boca Raton last year and conducts separate women-only and co-ed classes at the Yoga Center, 827 SE Ninth St., Deerfield Beach.

The sessions are only held during the winter and early spring.

Artemis` interest in therapeutic dance started as a graduate student in creative healing arts at Ryokan College in Los Angeles.

She developed the workshops while living in upstate New York after meeting people who wanted a place to dance, but didn`t want to go to a traditional class or a disco.

Her sessions incorporate music ranging from the seductive tones of Native American tribal rituals to sedate Gregorian chants.

At one class, Artemis forms her students into a ring reminiscent of a Native American circle dance. As the others sway or jump in time to the beat, each participant takes her turn dancing in the center.

``It`s like tapping into an ancient culture,`` Artemis said. ``In ancient cultures, dance was very important. It was used as a way to let out energy.``

In today`s society, people are looking for similar avenues to release stress, anger and other emotions. That`s why many have turned to alternative, New Age- type methods such as dance therapy, she said.

``A lot of people, especially Baby Boomers, are becoming aware that there is more to life than making money,`` Artemis said. ``Many people are searching for something spiritual.``

Lisa Buckley, a health care administrator from Pompano Beach, said the workshop provides a safe environment where she can express her creative side.

``Sometimes, you find yourself dancing out of anger, fear or pain,`` she said. ``Whatever your emotions are, you are dancing them out on the floor.``

Ann Crawford, another student, said using Artemis` method of dance has helped her gain more confidence.

``Amazing things are happening in my life and a lot of it has to do with this class,`` said Crawford, an anatomy professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton. ``I`ve found that`s there a dancer inside of me that I didn`t know was there before.``

Said Denise Springer, who has also enrolled in the workshop and is co-owner of the Yoga Center: ``I feel as if my essence is speaking through the dance. It makes me feel powerful, beautiful and sensual.``

CLASS INFORMATION

-- A one-day Inner Dance class will be from noon to 3 p.m. on March 13 at the Yoga Center, 827 SE Ninth St., Deerfield Beach. Registration is $30 per person.

-- Eight-week workshops for women-only and co-ed groups will be at the Yoga Center during April.